Gould's toucanet is a near-passerine bird in the toucan family Ramphastidae. It is found in Bolivia and Brazil.
Region
Amazon Basin
Typical Environment
Occurs in humid lowland rainforest south of the Amazon River, primarily in the Brazilian Amazon and extending into northern Bolivia. It favors terra firme forest but also uses várzea edges, secondary growth, and fruiting trees along rivers and forest margins. Usually forages from the midstory to the subcanopy, occasionally descending lower at fruiting shrubs. It is generally local and patchy where continuous forest remains, avoiding heavily deforested landscapes.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1200 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Gould's toucanet is a small toucan of the family Ramphastidae, native to lowland Amazonian forests of Brazil and northern Bolivia. Like other Selenidera toucanets, it shows strong sexual dimorphism: males have darker heads with a bright yellow ear patch, while females are more brownish. It is an important seed disperser, swallowing fruits whole and passing viable seeds away from the parent tree. The species nests in tree cavities and both parents share incubation and chick-rearing.
Temperament
shy and inconspicuous
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats between trees
Social Behavior
Usually found singly, in pairs, or small family groups, moving quietly through the midstory. Pairs maintain territories and use tree cavities for nesting, often reusing suitable holes. Both sexes incubate and feed the chicks, delivering small fruits and occasional animal prey.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocalizations are low, frog-like croaks and soft grunts given in series from concealed perches. It also produces rattling or nasal notes during pair contact and when moving between fruiting trees.
